Rubio advisors subsequently told CBS News and CNN that Rubio is likely to announce the bill next week, following the Senate’s weeklong recess to honor the July 4th holiday.

“We do expect that the bill is going to be introduced shortly in the Senate,” National Right to Life Committee executive director Douglas Johnson told Politico Wednesday. “I think you’ll see, probably, a consensus emerge where all the pro-life senators are on one bill shortly. But it’s not my place to announce that.”

According to the Standard, the move is largely seen as a salve to conservatives to make up for criticism Rubio received from fellow Republicans over his being part of the “Gang of 8” that spearheaded the immigration bill passed on June 27 that includes a way for undocumented immigrants to eventually earn U.S. citizenship.

Another 20-week abortion ban, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, passed in the House of Representatives on a 228-196 vote on June 18, but a similar bill is likely to face heavy resistance in the Democrat-controlled Senate, as well as the threat of a veto from President Barack Obama. On the state level, a similar ban was pushed forward by Texas lawmakers late Tuesday night, but not before attracting national attention thanks to a 13-hour filibuster by state Sen. Wendy Davis (D).

“The most I can tell you is we think [Rubio would] be a wonderful chief sponsor of the bill,” Johnson told Politico.

About the Author

Arturo R. García is the managing editor at Racialicious.com. He is based in San Diego, California and has written for both print and broadcast media, including contributions to GlobalComment.com, The Root and Comment Is Free. Follow him on Twitter at @ABoyNamedArt